GUILTY IL - 5 Gee/Constant family members murdered in Beeson, 21 Sept 2009

[AmandaReckonwith]

CINews (WEEK) is sending live updates every few minutes. The feed goes back to the beginning.

http://www.cinewsnow.com/beason/Beason-Trial-205396731.html


And here is the latest at Pantagraph. It has become easier to see why the defense took a shot at trying to pin this on Dillen. He was not a happy camper in the sex & drugs household. But I still think it is a low-down dirty move for a defense.

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/loca...cle_bb6d2b56-b994-11e2-a76e-0019bb2963f4.html

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

(sorry, I suck at this.... we need The Cheese on this thread!)

Update: part of the last hour of the week:

1. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
2. The judge is to tell the jury that there is a technical issue.

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1. 27m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. In order to make sure they get it right, it looks like we were recessing for the weekend.

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1. 28m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. The part of the video not edited involves a meth task force and Harris' brother and father.

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1. 29m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. If the video was not edited properly, we could have an issue.

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1. 30m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. The video has been stopped. The transcript does not match what was supposed to be edited from the video.

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1. 37m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. Harris is still calm, but defiant

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1. 39m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. "Those are not my footprints, I guarantee it". - Harris

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1. 40m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. Haris is asking investigators about shoe size to see if there is a possible mix up.

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1. 41m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. "How in the hell did you match my shoes?" - Harris

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1. 42m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. The investigator tells Harris that his shoe pattern is a match. Harris: "impossible".

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1. 44m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. He also says that a "sex offender" and a "crackhead" in Beason could be responsible.

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1. 46m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. Harris says in the video that the murders could be a simple random crime.

1. 48m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. Harris seems very calm and composed in the video so far. He is cooperative.

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1. 50m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. Harris told investigators that he bought white K Swiss shoes at a mall in Decatur.

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1. 51m
2. CINEWSupdate @CINEWSupdate
3. The video is about a hour long. So far, we can see Harris wearing a striped sweater and speaking with investigators.

 

[tlcya]

CINEWSupdate &#8207;@CINEWSupdate 1h
And just like that, strangely, the week in the courtroom is over.

 

[STANDREID]

This guy is being tried in the same court that Richard Speck was. I remember driving by in 1967 and seeing the crowds then but I haven't driven over to see how the interest in this case compares.

I did drive by there today and there was quite a large crowd at the court house. They were in a different location than in the Speck trial though.

 

[tlcya]

Andy Kravetz is tweeting from the courtroom during trial for the Peoria Journal Star

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 1h
makes reference to a meth task force and his brother or his father. Neither atty wants judge to say anything & draw attention. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 1h
apparent issue. the video tape that jury heard wasn't edited properly and some issues came up that jurors shouldn't hear. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 2h
Cop: your shoes are an exact match to the shoes in the house. Put yourself in my shoes, would you want me to dig deeper. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 2h
Playing an hourlong tape. Harris very calm, Jennings said, when got dinner in Peoria. Met at OSF on 9/30 when visiting Tabitha.#harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 2h
State law requires suspects to be recorded when with cops. This came about in the death penalty reform measures in the mid-00s. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 2h
Interview for Harris' print on Justina's window. Jennings also thought the shoe pattern of Harris matched those at Gee home. #harristtrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 3h
Have a better timeframe when the attacks might have occured. Between 1242a when last Yahoo Chat & when no net access at 130. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 3h
Gee laptop plugged in on Sept. 20-21 until 1:14am when it switched to battery. IT was unplugged at that time. Taken by Harris? #harristrial
Expand
Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 3h
Gonna hear soon what was on the hard drive of Rick Gee. Last Yahoo Chat was Kline who testified last night. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 3h
The idea behind all this: copy the evidence off and don't alter data. That way, def. can't come back and say it's been changed. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 4h
ISP Computer recovery guy on the stand. Uses enCase, program can recover items that were deleted. examined the Gee laptop.#harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 4h
However, their expert can't say the games led him to be violent; only that such games are a risk factor. Legally a difference. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 4h
Judy Stogdell, Rick's mom, not looking at the screen while the body bags are shown. Asked if she is okay. Nods yes. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 6h
Dimensions matter as def. maintains no way a big guy like Harris could do this in such cramped quarters. #harristrial

 

[joe jones]

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/loca...cle_3b6630dc-b90e-11e2-a592-001a4bcf887a.html

parents sex life testified to in court

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

I can't believe we have not linked to this site (that I remember). It has a wealth of articles and lots of video.

My fav for actual news has been Edith Brady-Lunny at Pantagraph because she's been on it since day 1... but no vids at that site and few pics.

Anyways...
Here is the video that made prosecutors ask for a COV at the beginning of April because of Dan Fultz, defense, spilling about the defense theory and possibly tainting the jury pool-
http://illinoishomepage.net/fulltext/?nxd_id=478512

WCIA-3 link: http://illinoishomepage.net/newsnew

I 've also been updating my fingers off in the trial news, day by day coverage from all angles. Case Archive:
http://s296.photobucket.com/user/crankycrankerson/library/Gee%20-%20Constant%20Murders%20%20-IL-?view=media#/user/crankycrankerson/library/Gee%20-%20Constant%20Murders%20%20-IL-?view=media&page=1&_suid=1368291996746014713413250889806

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

This vid says the blood spatter expert testified that:
Almost everything in the home was covered in blood spatter, but not Dillen's legs. He said the spatter pattern would have covered Dillen.
http://illinoishomepage.net/fulltext/?nxd_id=490252


In another article day 1 May 8, (I don't have the link but it's in the archive) prosecutor said Dillens hands were injured so badly that he couldn't have held the tire iron much less wielded it.

 

[tlcya]

that poor kid. It just upsets me so much that he apparently fought so hard for his live and then went so far as to return to the house and his killer in an attempt to stop him. It is said his knuckles were crushed trying to ward off Chris's blows and yet he STILL tried to get back to his family - just awful that the the tables were turned on him post death and Chris and his attorneys are now trying to blame this heinous act on a kid who seemingly died trying his utmost to stop the murder of his family.

 

[tlcya]

BTW, haven't yet told you this week how very much you are appreciated Amanda. You are tireless in your efforts to archive and countless members benefit. I wish there were some more tangible way to say thank you but this will have to do I guess.

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

TY, what a nice thing to say. I appreciate it.

I wish I could do more cases... I look at several that I wish I had time to do.

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

http://www.cinewsnow.com/beason/Beason-Trial-205396731.html

Live feed link. No cameras in courtroom sure makes this tedious.

This morning has been a lot of CSI and blood testimony is up now.
State has hundreds of pieces of evidence.

 

[tlcya]

Sara Sidery &#8207;@sara_sidery 6m
Court sees Dillen's bloody clothes he was wearing the night of the murders. Break until 1:05. #harristrial

Tyler Matson &#8207;@tyler6968 6m
@NancyGraceHLN Is there any possible way for you to cover the #harristrial where a whole family was murdered by an ex family member

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 6m
on lunch break. See @pjstar for the midmorning update or go to http://www.pjstar.com . #harristrial


Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 8m
Can't imagine what it is like for Dillen's relatives to see this. To say the dead have no dignity is an understatement. #Harristrial

Ashley Michels &#8207;@AshleyMichels 8m
CSI displays dillens clothing from crime scene. Full of blood stains #harristrial
Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 8m

Also seeing his boxer shorts from that night. Two items of clothing in the big bag which are then in two separate bags. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 10m
Oyer is going to show us the boardshorts or swimtrunks worn by Dillen Constant that night. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 13m
Judge is now citing case law regarding chain of custody or contaminated issues. Knew it off top of his head. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 15m
Def. cares bec. without a continual chain of custody, could raise an issue of of admissibility #harristrial

Ashley Michels &#8207;@AshleyMichels 29m
Prosecution plays 2 second clip from gee home webcam. Nothing happens though. Just shows where cam was pointed #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 29m
Shown a video taken from the couple's Webcam of the Gee master bedroom. Showed section of room where Dillen's body found. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 35m
That's 44 bags contaniing blood samples folks. A long pause in questioning as Oyer has to look at each one and verify. #harristrial

Sara Sidery &#8207;@sara_sidery 41m
CSI Michael Oyer takes the stand again. And out comes more evidence. Talking footwear/tire castings right now. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 43m
Oyer's back and discussing things he collected at Gee home. First up, a knife block from the Gee kitchen. #harristrial

Sara Sidery &#8207;@sara_sidery 44m
Harris had no defensive wounds. He had one healing blister -- said it was from brush-cutting on Sat. before murders. #harristrial

Ashley Michels &#8207;@AshleyMichels 45m
Chris tells police blister on his hand was from cutting brush as an odd job over the weekend before murders #harristrial

Katie Heinz &#8207;@kathrynheinz 34m
Nicole's house on main road in Beason. Defense says pickup, if parked outside, would've been visible from main road. #harristrial

Katie Heinz &#8207;@kathrynheinz 37m
Defense cross-examining investigator. Harris moved pickup to Nicole Gee's garage 9/29/09. Prior to that, was exposed for 8 days #harristrial

WICS ABC 20 &#8207;@wics_abc20 1h
Testimony continues today in #HarrisTrial. Follow @kathrynheinz for updates from the courtroom.

Katie Heinz &#8207;@kathrynheinz 2h
Out drinking with brother, got home in Armington around 12:10 am. Drank about 10 beers, took a couple of shots while out. #harristrial

Katie Heinz &#8207;@kathrynheinz 2h
Harris appears relaxed in video talking to police. Sitting back in chair, hands in lap. #harristrial

 

[tlcya]

Sara Sidery &#8207;@sara_sidery 3m
First glimpse of footwear impressions. Photos taken from driveway. CSI: Impression #1) "honeycomb pattern" and "Reebok" text #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 4m
Vale says he can tell two patterns have overlap. One is a honeycomb. other no name yet. Honeycomb was a Reebok shoe. #harristrial

Katie Heinz &#8207;@kathrynheinz 4m
CSI who made tire and footwear castings from driveway of Gees' house now on stand. #harristrial

Katie Heinz &#8207;@kathrynheinz 53m
Defense cross-exam. Prosecutors argue Harris went to house to rob family, sexually assault Justina. #harristrial

WICS ABC 20 &#8207;@wics_abc20 4h
Testimony continues today in #HarrisTrial. Follow @kathrynheinz for updates from the courtroom.

Katie Heinz &#8207;@kathrynheinz 4h
Out drinking with brother, got home in Armington around 12:10 am. Drank about 10 beers, took a couple of shots while out. #harristrial

 

[tlcya]

recap of yesterday from the SJR

Police keyed in on Harris because of &#8220;an exact match&#8221; of his shoe prints. Also, police found a fingerprint on Justina Constant&#8217;s window and someone had reported seeing a truck resembling Harris&#8217;.

&#8220;Right now, you are on the radar screen and you know why,&#8221; Illinois State Police investigator Michael Jennings told Harris during the interview. &#8220;Unfortunately, you have a lot of red flags that came up.&#8221;

When asked who could verify that story, Christopher Harris, who was calm during the hearing, said quickly, &#8220;My brother.&#8221;

http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x77...-killer-to-police-Those-shoeprints-arent-mine

 

[tlcya]

Katie Heinz &#8207;@kathrynheinz 30m
ISP: no prints identified on wrist watch, wireless mouse, air card, knife. Couldn't ID prints on interior of Ruth Gee's thigh. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 30m
Both tire iron & knife at home not tested for prints as determined better to swab it for DNA which would render prints gone. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 33m
no prints on the air card which was found in a cow pasture about a week after the murders. #Harristrial

Steve Staeger &#8207;@WCIASteve 40m
Follow @AshleyMichels for the latest from the courtroom in Peoria. Today's #harristrial testimony revolving around fingerprints.


Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 46m
She doesn't say match but rather, it was made by the person whose prints are on the card of CH. Just to be clear. #harristrial

Andy Kravetz &#8207;@andykravetz 52m
Kinda cool. she's using various Amino Acids to find prints. My five years of molecular biology finally being used. #harristrial

 

[tlcya]

Haven't heard lately about whether Nicole is still standing by her ex, Chris or if she has finally come to believe that he did it and not her poor dead brother.

Have never understood her stance but now that Jason is talking, I wonder if she FINALLY gets it?

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

Jason wll be testifying tomorrow.

Jason said that Dillen's last words were-



I am pretty far beyond disgusted that these defense attys tried to pass off that ridiculous and lame story. Dillen didn't do it. He tried to stop it, but in vain against coked up Chris.

And--

Case Archive is updated.

 

[tlcya]

He said he heard multiple blows, "more than I could keep up with," after his brother went inside the Gee house in Beason.

"He said, &#8216;I (expletive) up. I killed them all,&#8217; " Jason Harris quoted his brother saying after he came outside, sweating, with blood on his clothes.

This story will be updated.

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/loca...11e2-9e4d-0019bb2963f4.html?comment_form=true

 

[joe jones]

Jason Harris testified against his brother, he was looking at life sentence, but he will now serve approx 6 years more of his 20 year plea agreement, will get time off for the time he has spent in jail pre the trials,